Becoming a doctor is a long process – and becoming a specialist takes even longer. After medical school comes internship, residency and then fellowship. As an academic medical center, training the next generation of physicians is an important part of Columbia University Medical Center’s mission. Fellowship to become a pediatric oncologist or hematologist takes three years. At the end of that time these doctors have treated patients, conducted research, and collaborated with colleagues across the Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation. In other words, they become part of our family.

Left to right: Ellen Hooper, Evelyn Rustia, Chana Glasser, and Sarah Tannenbaum

Today we had a party for the four graduating third year fellows: Chana Glasser, Ellen Hooper, Evelyn Rustia and Sarah Tannenbaum. While we are sad to see these remarkable women leave our division, we have no doubt they will accomplish great things in the future. Here are some photos and notes from the event. 

Dr. Prakash Satwani	Dr. Prakash Satwani, one of our Stem Cell Transplantation Faculty members and a director of the Fellowship Program praised the graduating fellows by saying: “You lit a fire in our education program. Before you came, we had a spark but no fire.” Dr. Darrell Yamashiro, one of our oncologists who also leads the Fellowship Program, talked about how far the young doctors had come in three years, noting that each one had also found time to have children during their training, also a great accomplishment.
Clinical faculty members Julia Glade Bender, Kara Kelly and Michael Weiner all spoke about specific strengths – how Dr. Tannenbaum “threw herself” into the lives of her patients, getting to know them very well, or how well Dr. Rustia dealt with some very difficult cases. Dr. Hooper’s multitasking skills were pointed out and everyone agreed that Dr. Glasser is a natural leader. It was obvious on her first day that she would be Chief Fellow.  Second Year Fellow Robyn Gartrell spoke movingly about how Dr. Glasser always found time to offer support in tough moments, adding another meaning to the word “fellowship.”	Dr. Darrell Yamashiro
Dr. Andrew Kung	Our Division Director, Dr. Andrew Kung, had the last word and spoke about how the first day for the fellows was also his first day at Columbia. He felt lucky to have learned the ropes here alongside such great people. “If you ever need help in the future,” he concluded, “we are always here for you.” After all, that’s what you do for family.

Doctors, Colleagues, and Friends. Left to right: Maria Luisa Sulis, Julia Glade Bender, Evelyn Rustia, Chana Glasser, Sarah Tannenbaum, Ellen Hooper, Andrew Kung, Alice Lee, and Kara Kelly

If you would like to make a donation in honor of one of our fellows, or to the Fellowship program, please call 212.305.1420 or click here.